Game Balls...?

By Daniel Marcus | Dec 3, 2012 | 2:00PM

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Technically what we saw yesterday was a win for the Jets but it arguably set back the game of football some 30 years and I can tell you from actually having been there that it was as miserable in person as it was on TV. However, a win is a win nonetheless and as such we have some reluctant Game Balls to hand out:

Bilal Powell/Shonn Greene:

The Jets two-headed rushing attack provided the vast majority of the offense from a team that was grasping at straws to find any. At this point, I don't think Shonn Greene can, will, or needs to be a "bell-cow" back for this team as we saw yesterday the rotation works perfectly fine. Powell on the other hand may actually have what it takes to handles the rocks 20+ times a game and I wouldn't mind seeing him get the bulk of the carries from here on out. The Louisville product racked up 58 yards on 12 carries, good enough for a 4.8 YPC average. Greene on the other hand, carried the ball 24 times for 104 yards, averaging 4.3 Yards Per Carry and had the "heads up" play of the game by taking a knee on the one-yard line instead of scoring to secure the victory.

Jeremy Kerley:

Playing through injuries, the second-year man out of TCU proves once again that he is the best receiver in a miserable group. Although his stats were nothing to write home about, (only three catches for 37 yards), two of those catches were acrobatic plays on back-shoulder throws, where he just outworked the defensive back to bring down the ball. His last reception was the biggest of the game, coming down with a Greg McElroy pass for a key third down conversion on what would prove to be the final drive of the game. Kerley looks like the only sure-thing on the Jets receiving corps and he's turning into a hell of a player and for that, here's a Game Ball.

The Defense:

I'm of the belief that this is more of a testament to how miserable the Cardinals offense is as opposed to how dominating the Jets defense was. However, since the stats were so gaudy and impressive I would be remiss not to hand them a Game Ball. For the majority of the game, it appeared as though the defense would have to score all the points if the Jets were to have any real shot at winning. Rex's defense held the Cards to just 137 yards of total offense (2.5 yards per play) and shut them out on third down, going 0-15. The defense was the only reason the Jets were in this game at all after three first-half interceptions by Mark Sanchez so I won't nitpick on the fact that they couldn't get consistent pressure on a third-string quarterback with one of the worst O-line's in football.

Greg McElroy:

I know this is the moment, you've all been waiting for, of course the Bama product is going to get a Game Ball. Although McElroy didn't do much on the field (only seven pass attempts), his entrance into the game did spark the team and the crowd. However, considering how Sanchez had played up to that point, the fans would have been cheering even if it was Rory McIlroy coming into the game. The team obviously responded to the quarterback change as even the defense looked like it was playing faster. McElroy is far from the answer but in this instance change was a good thing and he orchestrated the game-winning drive so we'll let him have his moment.

Ryan Lindley:

Lindley was arguably the Jets most valuable player yesterday (yes I understand that sounds ironic), but without his historically terrible quarterback play, there is no way they win this game. The third-stringer and newly-minted starter was putrid even when he had time to throw, missing wide open receivers more times than I was able to count. His final line was 10/31 for 72 yards, and a pick for a quarterback rating of *wait for it, wait for it* 3.0. I'm not sure if you are the first non-Jet to get a game ball, Ryan Lindley but yours was much deserved.

Take A Lap !

Mark Sanchez:

I don't know if anyone has ever been put on IR for an acute case of "Shell Shock" but I think that it would be the best thing for the "Sanchize" at this point. He just looks like he's lost out there, you knew he was doomed from the start when he threw an Eli-esque interception on their first offensive play. Three first-half picks and three quarters of sheer ineptitude led to what will likely be the unceremonious end to the Mark Sanchez Era as he was benched for the first time in his career in favor of the aforementioned Greg McElroy. The biggest indictment on Sanchez was that McElroy only had to manage the game effectively to come away with a win in this one. Who knows how this is going to play out now but number six should keep the puke bucket at the ready, God know I've had mine out all season watching him.

Nick Folk:

Ah, the life of a kicker, people only notice you when you're not doing your job. Folk, who had been having a pretty good season by all accounts put one off of each upright with attempts from 51 and 45 yards. Unfortunately for Folk, in low-scoring affairs like the one we saw yesterday, the game inevitably comes down to the kickers and he was less-than-stellar yesterday and for that TAKE A LAP!

Chaz Schilens:

In his "one and done" tour with the Jets, Schilens has been very up and down and yesterday was another down game for him. He took a rare perfect pass from Mark Sanchez right off the face mask ala Braylon Edwards and then flubbed another deep pass, which went off of his body en route to a Patrick Peterson interception. Admittedly it was a great play by Peterson but Schilens could have at least made a play on the ball to break it up but he didn't so he better lace up his Asics and get to running.

Demario Davis revealed how he turned things around after early season struggles

1:01PM

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(Brad Penner)

Jets LB Demario Davis has been a cornerstone of the team's defense this season, but it wasn't always that way.

When returning to the Jets this offseason after a season with the Browns, fans and media crushed Davis, saying he wasn't worth bringing back after serving four previous season in Green & White. Davis didn't prove them wrong in the first two weeks of the season either as he struggled mightily on the field.

Davis spoke with SNY's Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon on "The Jet Stream Podcast" to talk about how he dealt with the pressure, and turned around his season...

The Jets will select LSU DE Arden Key with the tenth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, predicts ESPN's Todd McShay.

Despite the Jets' need for a steady arm at the quarterback position, McShay points out their edge rushers need some improvement as well. This is why McShay can't see the Jets passing up on who he thinks is the most natural defensive end coming out of college this season...

New York Jets Today: December 13

By Bent | 9:00AM

New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the third quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets (5-8) face the Saints (9-4) on Sunday in New Orleans. Here's what's going on today…

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The Jet Stream: Demario Davis joins the show

Dec 12 | 4:00PM

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Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon are frustrated after another loss in a game they were supposed to win. The guys discuss Josh McCown's broken left hand, and how it impacts the team going forward. Later, Jets linebacker Demario Davis joins the show to talk about his leadership as team captain, McCown's impact, and the rise of the team's young linebackers - Darron Lee and Jordan Jenkins.

Jets work out CFL's DaVaris Daniels, Garry Peters

Dec 12 | 3:31PM

The 6-foot-1, 207 pound Daniels has played his past two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders, who made it to the Grey Cup last season. In 13 games last season, the Notre Dame product caught 47 receptions for 743 yards and four touchdowns.

Peters has played for the Edmonton Eskimos the past two seasons, where he most recently won the Grey Cup. The 5-foot-11, 190 pound cornerback notched 35 tackles and three special teams tackles this past season.

As the custom with CFL players converting to the NFL, the Jets may be looking at Daniels and Peters for potential futures deals after the season. CFL players generally are not allowed to sign with NFL teams until their contracts expire in February.

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BGA: Analyzing the Jets' defense in their Week 14 loss to Broncos

By Bent | Dec 12 | 9:30AM

The Jets overcame a shaky start to break out of their slump with their finest offensive performance of the season so far against the Chiefs. A late touchdown by Josh McCown gave the Jets the lead and the defense held on to preserve a 38-31 shootout win.

Josh McCown needs surgery on broken hand, out for season

Dec 11 | 3:23PM

The Daily News Live crew debates over who the Jets should start at quarterback with Josh McCown being ruled out for the rest of the season.

Jets QB Josh McCown is out for the rest of the season as he needs surgery on his broken left hand, according to head coach Todd Bowles.

McCown suffered the injury in the third quarter of Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Broncos. He walked off the field in obvious pain, and underwent X-rays during the game. He received a second opinion on the hand, and it was suggested he should get surgery to repair it.

BGA: Analyzing the Jets' offense in their Week 14 loss

By Bent | Dec 11 | 11:45AM

Any lingering hopes of the Jets remaining in playoff contention were put to rest by a struggling Broncos team that was met with scant resistance in their 23-0 win. This continues a season-long pattern of futility on the road for this Jets team, which drops to 5-8 on the year and now seems destined to end up 5-11 for the season season in a row.

Let's start this week by breaking down the performances on the offensive side of the ball:

Jets' Petty 'ready' to step up for injured McCown at QB

Dec 10 | 10:15PM

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GEICO SportsNite: FNNY on Jets00:03:08

The Football Night in New York crew break down the Jets ugly 23-0 loss to the Broncos in Denver on Sunday.

After Jets quarterback Josh McCownsuffered a broken left hand in Sunday's 23-0 loss to the Denver Broncos, second-string quarterback Bryce Petty said he feels "ready" to step up for New York's Week 15 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

"I am going to give my heart and soul and prepare for this week for New Orleans," Petty said, according to NJ.com's Connor Hughes. "Whatever happens in the future, happens, but all I can do is worry about things I can control. Whether Josh plays, or whether he doesn't, I am going to go in there prepared and ready to lead this team."

Given McCown's injury is on his non-throwing hand, it is unclear if he will play during the team's final three games of the season. Head coach Todd Bowles said McCown will undergo further tests this week to evaluate his status for the rest of the season.

McCown left the game late in the third quarter with the Jets trailing 20-0. He previously left the game in the first half after scrambling for a first down, but returned two plays later.

He walked off the field and underwent X-rays during the game. It is unclear if the injury will end McCown's season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. McCown will undergo further tests, Bowles said.

Jets Post Game Overtime: Jets shut out by Broncos

Dec 10 | 8:37PM

The Jets Post Game crew hands out its report cards after the Jets' defeat at the hands of the Denver Broncos, 23-0.

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Jets shut out against Miller, Broncos

Dec 10 | 7:05PM

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Bowles and McCown on 23-0 loss00:02:13

Jets head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Josh McCown talk about what went wrong for the Jets in their 23-0 loss to Denver.

The Jets recorded 100 yards of total offense and turned the ball over twice as they were shut out against Von Miller and the Denver Broncos, 23-0, Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Josh McCown threw an interception and lost a fumble before leaving the game late in the third quarter due to a left hand injury. Bryce Petty completed just two of nine passes for 14 yards in his absence.

Bilal Powell and Matt Forte combined for 48 rushing yards on 19 attempts, while Robby Anderson, who totaled 253 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the past two games, was limited to three catches for 27 yards.

Vacc's 3 Keys to a Jets win over the Broncos

SNY NFL insider Ralph Vacchiano gives his three keys to a New York Jets victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

SNY NFL Insider Ralph Vacchiano gives his 3 keys to a Jets victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

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The Jet Stream: Hanging by a Thread

Dec 10 | 9:00AM

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Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon are back in the studio for another edition of The Jet Stream podcast, as they look back at an impressive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. First, the guys welcome Connor Hughes of NJ.com to the show to discuss Todd Bowles' job security and the benching of Muhammad Wilkerson. Later, Jets safety Rontez Miles calls in to talk about Bowles and his two rookie teammates, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.

Vacc's Week 14 Preview: Jets at Broncos, Sunday at 4:05 p.m.

New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (Kathy Willens/AP)

THE GAME

The Jets (5-7) face the Denver Broncos (3-9) at Sports Authority field at Mile high in Denver, on Sunday, Dec. 10, at 4:05 p.m. ET.

THE WEATHER:

December in Denver is always a little nicer than I think it's going to be. Temperatures on Sunday should be slightly over 60 with light winds and sunny skies.

WHAT IT MEANS

It means everything to the Jets. They are two games behind the Baltimore Ravens in the race for the last wild-card spot in the AFC with only four games to play, so they can't afford any slip-ups. They also have to hope for some help because just to get to the Ravens, they have to jump over the Chargers, Bills and Raiders, who are all one game ahead of the Jets. It's not going to be easy. It's probably impossible. But the Jets have no shot if they don't win all four of their remaining games.

Anderson will play, Davis probable for Sunday's game vs. Broncos

Dec 8 | 12:44PM

New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson catches a touchdown pass against Buffalo Bills corner back Tre'Davious White during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson will play in Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos despite being limited at practice on Thursday due to a hamstring injury, head coach Todd Bowles told reporters on Friday.

The Jets listed running back Matt Forte (knee) and offensive guard Brian Winters (abdomen, ankle) as questionable, while linebacker Bruce Carter was ruled out due to a groin injury.

New York Jets Today: December 8

By Bent | Dec 8 | 9:00AM

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New York Jets quarterback Josh McCown (15) talks to his line before the snap against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) (Bill Kostroun/AP)

The Jets (5-7) face the Denver Broncos (3-9) on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Here's what's going on today...

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GEICO SportsNite: Will the Jets bring back McCown?

Dec 8 | 1:40AM

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GEICO SportsNite: McCown00:03:38

The Football Night in New York crew discuss if Josh McCown will return to the Jets next season and debate Steve Spagnuolo's future.

The Football Night in New York crew discuss if Josh McCown will return to the Jets next season and debate Steve Spagnuolo's future.

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Enunwa nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year award

Dec 7 | 11:50PM

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New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson (11) celebrates with wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (81) after Enunwa scored a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second half at FirstEnergy Stadium. (Ken Blaze)

Darron Lee viewed suspension as a learning experience

Dec 7 | 1:19PM

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(Dennis Schneidler)

Instead of sulking over his suspension last week, Jets LB Darron Lee used his time to view the game from a new perspective.

Lee was suspended by head coach Todd Bowles after Lee arrived late to the team's walk-through last Saturday. The second-year pro hadn't missed a practice before the punishment, but either way, he has learned from his first suspension of his career.

"Yeah, we won, man," Lee told NJ.com's Darryl Slater. "There ain't nothing to be down about. I mean, who cares? This ain't about me. It's about the team."